BT September 9, 2007 - Punakha: The raging PDP inferno seems to have left a much stronger impact than the late monsoon that left most of the Punaps (people of Punakha) stumped this season.
In his less-than-week-long familiarization tour of Punakha, the PDP president, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, reaffirmed his goal of transforming Bhutan into the People’s Democratic Party’s way.
On September 5, as he walked into the crowd of about 700 men and women gathered at the Ugyen Academy’s packed auditorium, he raised his hand and boldly declared: “I belong to this land. I have tilled this land, walked the rain, slept in the farms. I know the true reality and face of Bhutan and I will leave no stone unturned to have this changed.”
The meeting concluded with the people of Talo-Kabji constituency promising their allegiance to PDP. Posters of PDP logo with the president’s portrait inscribed on the other side were distributed.
Elsewhere in the villages, not even the rain had deterred them from attending the PDP meeting. It was almost 10 in the morning and 68-year-old Pema from Dzomi geog had walked all the way to Mendagang where he was told that the PDP president wanted to talk to them. After waiting for about five hours the PDP entourage finally embarked into the tiny village. By then Pema had already finished munching a kilogram of doma.
As the eager crowd assembled in the school’s multi-purpose hall, the PDP president surrounded by his important-looking aides belied the image of a leader already in the making. And when he spoke the villagers listened in admiration - often breaking into chorus of laughter followed by vigorous clapping of hands. “My conviction is to deliver what I promise, and whether it’s PDP or Phuensum Tshogpa that wins the race we must remember that it is the people who should benefit in the end,” the president remarked.
He also said that PDP’s sole focus will be the rural Bhutan. His immediate plans include sweeping changes, such as setting up rural banks, improving infrastructures like road-network, alleviating poverty, and thereby bringing about a balanced economic growth in the country.
And as the day drew to an end, it was all smiles as farmers returned home after attending the meeting. “My long wait didn’t go in vain, after all. Our Lyonpo was so convincing, I have my prayers for him that he and his party wins,” said Kinley Choden, a 37-year-old farmer from Dzomi geog.
But for Pema and a few others the meeting was a platform to kill their time away from fields, if their frequent yawns and their doma feast were any indication.
“I always knew that change was coming, but I never thought that it would happen at such a pace,” said a bemused Pema.
PDP’s rural drive and their promise to launch a quantum jump in agricultural production, farmers’ income and improving their living standard seems to be doing the trick.
Statistics may vary, but a random survey carried out in about 50 households with about 100 respondents reveals that as of now PDP has the upper hand, at least in the neighboring villages of Punakha and Khuruthang.
About 90% of the respondents BT talked to in a span of a week-long survey revealed that they supported PDP.
But it wasn’t the PDP manifesto that had swept their minds. Rather it was the party president whom the Punaps believe can bring about a change in their lives. “And his family’s root in Talo was an additional advantage to his candidature,” a farmer said.
“With more than 70% of the population living in rural areas, the farmers needed better and easier access to credit and marketing facilities, and PDP seems to have the potential in delivering this,” said an observer.
But everything is not over. A businessman from Khuruthang said that while PDP was the early bird, it doesn’t mean that the battle is over as yet. “PDP has made so many promises but only time can tell whether they will live up to their commitment. Let’s see what Phuensum Tshogpa has to offer.”
Describing Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup as a towering personality, Dr. Tandi, the PDP candidate from Limukha-Toewang constituency, said that in whatever capacity he worked he brought honor and prestige and people have seen it happen right before their eyes.
“He is a man of word and it’s not just the promises we have made, I know he will deliver it,” he added.
While some critics have accused him of politicking and vote begging, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup said: “The important thing is that people will make the right decision.”
Starting from Talo on September 5, the PDP president visited all the geogs in Punakha. His familiarization campaign ended yesterday. He has plans to visit the Wangdue constituencies next week.
However, there are Punaps asking why Druk Phuensum Tshogpa wasn’t taking the initiative to gain their stronghold in the dzongkhag. “We want choices, we want Phuensum Tshogpa to come forward, only then will we be able to confirm and debate over our choices. Let the battle begin,” said a 45-year-old shopkeeper from Khuruthang.